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‘Homemade’
wetlands An ecological solution
to greywater treatment
Municipal water use in South Africa accounts for 27% of total water consumed.
Garden and landscape irrigation makes up 31-50% of domestic water consumption.
There is an opportunity to half your water bill by simply re-using your greywater!
Greywater is household wastewater that doesn’t contain Greywater can be safely used in your garden as long as you
any faecal matter, heavy grease, or toxic chemicals. This follow a few basic rules:
water can be used to irrigate gardens and landscapes after • Don’t store greywater for longer than 24 hours.
basic treatment to remove excess nutrients, chemicals, and • Don’t allow greywater to pool.
potentially harmful bacteria. • Don’t use greywater if it has been contaminated with
faeces or urine.
Constructed wetlands are man-made systems that mimic
the natural processes of wetlands to treat water. Greywater Constructed wetlands are easy to build and effective in treating
is passed through the wetland, where it is slowly cleaned and greywater for use in your garden. Find out how to build your
filtered, and then released. The treated water can now be used own constructed wetland by visiting www.randwater.co.za and
to irrigate gardens and landscapes. click ing on the Water Wise logo. You will find a user-friendly
manual to download that details all
A constructed wetland will filter and treat your greywater before the steps and materials you need
you use it to irrigate your garden. The system removes soap to construct one of these systems
scum, toxins, and bacteria and delivers better quality water to in your own garden or landscape.
your garden. It also provides a habitat for local and indigenous
insects, birds, and animals, and provides an aesthetically Always be Water Wise!
appealing focal point in the garden.
www.randwater.co.za and click on the Water Wise logo
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON WATER WISE, PLEASE CONTACT US ON: 0860 10 10 60
28 Landscape SA • Issue 99 2021